Thirteenth Hour

"Life is a gift, not an obligation. The stuff that you endure, the torture of childish bullies, divorces that are no fault of your own, and all the other squabbles you have complained about are a mere nuisance in the universe. There are much more horrible things and occurrences that people must endure. Even yourself, in past lives."

These are the first words spoken to Merritt by her quirky spirit guide, Alma Chaser, before she journeys through the lost hour of the time–change dimension, where she uncovers worlds where serial killers play, where evil spirits dance, and where she uncovers the triggers that ignite her own unmotivated anger and the hidden evils buried within her soul as she takes on other lives in parallel worlds and times.

Alma looks up. "Oh, that's the tunnel, ready to take you to your first destination. Don't worry. It doesn't hurt. It's quite fun, actually." But before she can finish her sentence, Merritt's soul is gone to dance through time through the portal of the thirteenth hour.

-- Gina Lynelle Schaefer